Monday 12 August 2013

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is inviting visitors to its flagship Wisley garden to choose their favourite begonia from a stunning display that showcases these versatile flowers. The display will be at the RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey until the first autumn frost.

The RHS has joined forces with the horticultural trade to create an uplifting and colourful celebration of the huge range of colours and varieties of these popular seasonal bedding plants.

Both the display and the People’s Choice initiative were created to turn the spotlight on the often underappreciated work of breeders to create a wide array of choice and difference for a marketplace where purchases are based predominantly on colour.

With bedding plants representing nearly half of the total number of plants sold in the UK each year their importance to the horticultural trade cannot be overestimated.

RHS Trials Development Manager Mark Heath said: “Through innovative campaigns such as People’s Choice the RHS, in partnership with growers, breeders and the horticultural industry, is promoting these most important of plants to the one million visitors RHS Garden Wisley welcomes each year. By creating stunning displays such as the one currently at RHS Garden Wisley we are showcasing the beauty, variety and flexibility of begonias.

“I urge all garden lovers to come and see these tremendous little flowers in all their glory and vote for your favourite.”

-Ends-

Notes to editors

For more information, please contact Garfield Myrie in the RHS Press Office on 020 7821 3060 or email garfieldmyrie@rhs.org.uk

About the RHS
The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 by Sir Joseph Banks and John Wedgwood for the encouragement and improvement of the science, art and practice of horticulture. We held our first flower shows in 1820, were granted a Royal Charter in 1861 and acquired RHS Garden Wisley, our flagship garden, in 1903. From our first meetings in a small room off London’s Piccadilly, we have grown to become the world’s largest gardening charity.

Today the RHS is committed to providing a voice for all gardeners. We are driven by a simple love of plants and a belief that gardeners make the world a better place. 209 years on we continue to safeguard and advance the science, art and practice of horticulture, creating displays that inspire people to garden. In all aspects of our work we help gardeners develop by sharing our knowledge of plants, gardens and the environment.

RHS membership is for anyone with an interest in gardening. Support the RHS and secure a healthy future for gardening. For more information call: 0845 130 4646, or visit www.rhs.org.uk/join

About the RHS

The RHS believes that gardening improves the quality of life and that everyone should have access to great garden experiences. As a charity we help to bring gardening into people's lives and support gardeners of all levels and abilities; whether they are expert horticulturists or children who are planting seeds for the very first time.

RHS membership is for anyone with an interest in gardening. Support the RHS and secure a healthy future for gardening. For more information call: 0845 130 4646, or visit www.rhs.org.uk